Quick & Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

Introduction

This quick and easy apple crisp is a comforting dessert perfect for any time of year. With tender, cinnamon-spiced apples and a buttery oat topping, it’s simple to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds apples (Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honey Crisp), peeled, cored, and sliced thin
• Topping:
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, diced
• Sauce:
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (divided)
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.
2. Step 2: Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing them thinly. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine all topping ingredients except for the butter. Add the diced butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the mixture until it resembles a coarse texture with some small clumps remaining. Chill the topping in the fridge.
4. Step 4: To make the sauce, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of the flour until smooth. Add the water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, light brown sugar, cinnamon, remaining 1 tablespoon flour, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.
5. Step 5: Pour the sauce over the apples and stir gently to coat all slices evenly. Transfer the apples to the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.
6. Step 6: Remove the topping from the fridge and sprinkle it evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft when pierced with a toothpick.
8. Step 8: Allow the apple crisp to rest for 10 minutes before serving to let the juices thicken. Serve warm, optionally with ice cream.

Tips & Variations

• Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balance of sweetness and acidity.
• Replace some oats with chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts, for added crunch.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or ground ginger to the topping mixture.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a classic touch.

Storage

Store leftover apple crisp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole crisp in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. The topping may lose some crispness but will still taste delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen apples for this recipe?

Fresh apples are best for texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain excess liquid before proceeding to prevent a soggy crisp.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure the oats are certified gluten-free.

Quick & Easy Apple Crisp Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 114 reviews

This Quick & Easy Apple Crisp is a comforting dessert featuring tender, thinly sliced apples covered with a buttery oat topping and a luscious cinnamon-spiced sauce. Baked to golden perfection, it’s perfect served warm with ice cream for a cozy treat any time of year.

• Author: Ruby
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Apples

• 2 pounds apples (Granny Smith, Braeburn, or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

Topping

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, diced

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (divided)
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray an 8×8 inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray and set aside for later use.
2. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples thinly. This step may take about 20-30 minutes depending on your speed. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl and set aside.
3. Make the Topping: In a medium bowl, measure and combine all topping ingredients except the butter. Add the diced butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a coarse texture with some small clumps remaining. Chill this mixture in the fridge while preparing the sauce.
4. Prepare the Sauce: Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk until smooth. Stir in the water, lemon juice, vanilla extract, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix well to combine.
5. Coat Apples with Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the sliced apples. Use a large spoon or your hands to toss the apples until they are evenly coated with the sauce mixture. Spread the sauced apples in an even layer in the prepared baking dish.
6. Add the Topping: Remove the topping mixture from the fridge and spread it evenly over the apples, covering them completely.
7. Bake: Bake the apple crisp in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes. The topping should be golden brown and you may see the sauce bubbling at the edges. Test the apples with a toothpick to ensure they are soft.
8. Rest and Serve: Allow the apple crisp to rest for about 10 minutes to let the juices thicken and the dessert firm slightly. Serve warm, optionally with a scoop of ice cream.

Notes

• Choosing tart apples like Granny Smith helps balance the sweetness and holds texture well after baking.
• Thinly slicing apples ensures they soften nicely during baking.
• Keeping small bits of butter intact in the topping gives the crust a desirable crumbly texture and golden color.
• Letting the crisp rest after baking allows the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for added indulgence.

Keywords: apple crisp, apple dessert, easy apple dessert, baked apple dessert, autumn dessert, apple oat topping